Spinal cord injuries qualify as some of the most dangerous injuries a person can sustain. Spinal cord injuries refer to any injury sustained to the spinal cord which results in a temporary or permanent change in the body’s sensory/motor function. These injuries can result from either trauma (such as gunshots and car accidents), or disease (such as polio or spina bifida).

The website of Crowe & Mulvey, LLP lists major spinal cord injuries as: high tetraplegia (C1-C4), low tetraplegia (C5-C8), quadriplegia, paraplegia, incomplete motor functional at any level, and total paralysis. High tetraplegia refers to an injury that effects the upper back and upper extremities such as the arms, hands, and neck. Low tetraplegia refers to an injury that effects the lower back and lower extremities such as the legs and feet. Victims will experience a loss of feeling or movement in these afflicted areas. Quadriplegia refers to the paralysis of all our limbs- both arms and both legs. Paraplegia refers solely to the paralysis of the lower extremities- the legs.

These are some of the most serious injuries that one can sustain, and victims of such tragedies experience life altering effects from their injuries. An Iowa personal injury lawyer might list potential effects of a spinal cord injury as: diminished enjoyment of life, lost wages, reduced earning potential, permanent disability, mental and physical anguish, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and disfigurement.

Effects of a spinal cord injury can be permanent and life altering. Unfortunately, in many cases, a spinal cord injury was preventable and occurred due to the carelessness of another. The victim of such a preventable accident resulting in a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to certain damages.